Rahm Supports His Local Alderman

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Mayor Rahm Emanuel is hosting a fundraiser for his own alderman, 47-th Ward freshman Ameya Pawar.

That’s a good sign for Pawar, who has not always had the mayor’s support. Last year, Emanuel endorsed Pawar’s opponent, Tom O’Donnell, a member of the Fighting 47th machine Pawar overthrew. This year, Pawar backed an ally, Paul Rosenfeld, in his campaign against Committeeman Gene Schulter. Emanuel forced both candidates out of the race to clear the field for his candidate, Peter Coffey.

The committeeman’s race that never happened was considered a defeat for Pawar: the mayor now controls his ward organization, and has a ready-made candidate to run against him. One North Side pol called Pawar “naïve” for not running for the committeeman’s seat himself.

However, mayor and alderman seem to have reached an understanding. Pawar actually cast his first vote against Emanuel after the committeeman’s election. He voted no Emanuel’s request to install speed cameras in child safety zones. For Emanuel’s part, he realizes Pawar is too popular to mess with. The white-collar voters who live along the Brown Line love being represented by an independent reformer at City Hall. Pawar has also endeared himself to constituents by democratizing decision-making with his Ward Councils.

Emanuel also attended a Pawar fundraiser in December, but this is a bigger deal, because he’s the host. If you want to pay for the sight of Pawar and Emanuel together, here is the invitation:

Please join Mayor Rahm Emanuel at a cocktail reception honoring Alderman Ameya Pawar to celebrate his one year in office.